Rashad burden
When Enough Isn’t Enough
I
s it possible to have too much God? What about reading too much of the Bible? Maybe there is such a thing as going to church too much? Surely, there is a point where there is too much prayer? Okay, maybe not, but maybe you’ve felt that you’ve had enough of some of these things. Join us today as we explore when enough isn’t enough.
Read Matthew 25:1-2; Proverbs 9:10; Philippians 2:5
Matthew records three parables that Jesus used to give a jarring teaching on discipleship and judgment. The first is about 10 young women. Initially, the primary description we are given is that five are wise and five are foolish. What does it really mean to be wise? What does it mean to be foolish? Take some time to journal what your answers are and share a picture on social media using #MessageMag.
Read Matthew 25:3; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 3:15
The Bible gives directions to be ready for an array of situations. For some reason there are five young women in this parable who have lamps but apparently didn’t have any excess oil. They are characterized as foolish for being unprepared. I know there have been many times in my life when I’ve been unprepared, but I wouldn’t call myself foolish because of it. What is so foolish about what the young ladies have done in the parable? Share your opinions with us on social media using #MessageMag.
Read Matthew 25:4; Luke 14:28; Proverbs 13:10
The five wise young women are prepared with oil in their lamps and extra oil in jars. There seems to be some connection to wisdom and preparation. They were ready for both the moment and the unexpected. No one knows what the future holds but what are some things that you have done personally to prepare for the future? We’d love to hear how you have made plans for the days that are ahead. Share them on social media using #MessageMag.
Read Matthew 25:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 14:6
God takes His time because He is beyond time. That doesn’t make it any easier on you and me. The ten young women in the story wait so long that they all fall asleep. What are we supposed to do when God is taking longer than we expected? What do you do? We’d love some advice! Share with us how to master waiting on the Lord, on social media using #MessageMag.
Read Matthew 25:6-8; Revelation 14:6-7
God, I mean the bridegroom, finally arrives and everyone wakes up. The ones who were prepared light their lamps and ready themselves. Those who were unprepared light their lamps also, but realize they are low on oil and their lights will soon go out. This is interesting because it shows that both the wise and the foolish were waiting, with oil, and the ability to carry light. Up until this point there is very little that actually separates the wise and foolish. Maybe in life, church, and religion, there is very little that separates the wise and foolish. What could the determining factor be? Share your opinions using #MessageMag on social media.
Read Matthew 25:9-11; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 5:3; Revelation 14:12
The five wise young women seem to be selfish in not sharing their oil. They point out that there may not be enough. Enough? How do they know what enough is? They’ve been waiting just the same as the other young women, and the announcement that the bridegroom has arrived has gone out. There is something significant about the fact that the wise are not willing to believe that they know exactly how much oil will be needed when the bridegroom arrives. Do you think you have enough of whatever is necessary for the return of the Lord? Tell us what you think it is and why or why not, using #MessageMag on social media.
Read Matthew 25:12-13
Oil represents the presence of God throughout the Bible. Matthew 25 is no different. Those who went in with the bridegroom were those who didn’t settle for a set amount of the presence of God. The interesting thing about getting closer to God is that you often can feel like you have so much more to learn, do, and share. The wise thing to do, according to the parable at the beginning of Matthew 25, is never stop seeking the presence of God and continual communion with Him. Those who have “made it” or “arrived” may soon find out that enough isn’t enough.
Rashad Burden is the pastor of Mount Olive Seventh-day Adventist Church and Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church, both in southern Alabama.